Horseback Riding Apparatus for Amusement Parks

ABSTRACT

A horseback riding apparatus for amusement parks includes at least one riding unit including front and rear wheels rotatable through front and rear axles and arranged to make rolling movement along a road surface, a horse-shaped body seated by a rider and a rocking mechanism for causing the horse-shaped body to make rocking movement; and a traction unit connected to the riding unit and configured to pull or push the riding unit.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a horseback riding apparatus for amusement parks and, more particularly, to a horseback riding apparatus for amusement parks capable of entertaining a rider and attracting interest and attention of the rider while enhancing merchantability of the horseback riding apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In recent years, the interest in horse riding grows higher as a living standard goes up in many countries. This results in an increase of horse-riding-related amusement facilities in different amusement parks. There is available a horseback riding apparatus which includes a saddle seated by a rider and a rocking device for rocking the saddle in an up-down direction. By rocking the rider seated on the saddle, the horseback riding apparatus can provide the rider with an effect of horse-riding exercise while entertaining the rider with a horse-riding motion.

Since the conventional horseback riding apparatus is configured to make rocking movement in a fixed position, the motion of the rider is too simple. For this reason, after taking a horseback riding a number of times, the rider loses interest in the horseback riding sooner or later. This tends to reduce merchantability of the horseback riding apparatus.

There is also known a carrousel as one of the horseback riding apparatus for amusement parks. The carrousel is designed to impart an up-and-down motion to a rider seated on a horse saddle rotating together with a circular platform. Inasmuch as the motion of the rider imparted by the carrousel is simple, the rider tends to lose interest in the carrousel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above-noted problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a horseback riding apparatus for amusement parks capable of traveling on a road or along a fixed track while making rocking movement, thereby enabling a rider to feel as if the rider enjoys horseback riding in an actual horseback riding course.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a horseback riding apparatus for amusement parks capable of enabling a rider to go through a riding experience quite similar to actual horse riding, consequently attracting attention and interest of the rider and enhancing the merchantability of the horseback riding apparatus.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a horseback riding apparatus for amusement parks, including:

at least one riding unit including front and rear wheels rotatable through front and rear axles and arranged to make rolling movement along a road surface, a horse-shaped body seated by a rider and a rocking mechanism for causing the horse-shaped body to make rocking movement; and

a traction unit connected to the riding unit and configured to pull or push the riding unit.

In the horseback riding apparatus, the rocking mechanism includes a pair of crank arms eccentrically fixed to the both rear wheels and configured to convert rotation of the crank arm to rocking movement of the horse-shaped body, and a shock absorber arranged between the crank arms and the horse-shaped body to absorb impacts applied to the horse-shaped body.

In the horseback riding apparatus, the traction unit may include a traction bogie, front and rear wheels rotatably attached to the traction bogie, a drive motor mounted to the traction bogie to rotationally drive at least one of the front and rear wheels of the traction unit and a power transfer device configured to transfer torque of the drive motor to at least one of the front and rear wheels of the traction unit.

In the horseback riding apparatus, the traction unit may further include a steering mechanism configured to steer the traction unit, the steering mechanism including a steering wheel, a steering shaft connected to the steering wheel, a tie rod, a gear set for operatively interconnecting the steering shaft and the tie rod, a knuckle arm fixedly secured to the tie rod and a knuckle pivotally attached to the knuckle and fixed to one of the front and rear wheels of the traction unit.

In the horseback riding apparatus, the traction bogie may be formed into a horse shape.

In the horseback riding apparatus, the riding unit may include a pair of riding units arranged side by side and interconnected to each other.

The horseback riding apparatus may further include an auxiliary unit connected to the riding units and configured to have a carriage shape.

In the horseback riding apparatus, the traction unit may be arranged at a front side of the riding units to pull the riding unit.

In the horseback riding apparatus, the traction unit may be arranged at a rear side of the riding unit to push the riding unit.

With the horseback riding apparatus for amusement parks according to the present invention, it is possible to impart riding motions like actual horseback riding to the riders, because the horseback riding apparatus can travel forwards while making rocking movement. This enables the riders to feel as if they enjoy actual horseback riding. Since the present horseback riding apparatus can freely travel on the road surface, it is possible for the riders to go through a riding experience similar to actual horse riding, consequently attracting attention and interest of the riders. The increased attention and interest of the riders makes it possible to greatly enhance merchantability of the present horseback riding apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments, given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a horseback riding apparatus for amusement parks according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a horseback riding apparatus for amusement parks according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side view showing a traction unit employed in the present horseback riding apparatus.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view showing a traction unit employed in the present horseback riding apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing a riding unit employed in the present horseback riding apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a riding unit employed in the present horseback riding apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a section view of a riding unit taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a traction unit showing drive mechanism.

FIG. 9 is a section view of the traction unit taken along line IX-IX in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a section view of the traction unit taken along line X-X in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a section view of the traction unit taken along line XI-XI in FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 are side views showing other examples of the present horseback riding apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Certain preferred embodiments of a horseback riding apparatus according to the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, the horseback riding apparatus for amusement parks includes a plurality of riding units 10, each of which includes a horse-shaped body 30.

The riding units 10 includes front wheel 22 and rear wheel 24 for making rolling movement on the road surface so that the horseback riding apparatus as a whole can travel along the road surface.

It is preferred that the riding units 10 be provided in pairs in the left-right direction as illustrated in FIG. 2. In this case, the riding units 10 arranged in pair are preferably interconnected by a connecting member 14. Each of the riding unit 10 arranged in pair preferably includes a footrest 48 provided at the outer side of the horse-shaped body 30(see FIGS. 5 and 6). As shown in FIG. 2, the riding units 10 arranged one after another are preferably interconnected by connecting member 14.

Referring again to FIGS. 5 and 6, the horse-shaped body 30 includes a saddle 34 which is a seat for a rider.

The saddle 34 includes an elastically-deformable internal cushion portion and an external cover portion. The cover portion is preferably made of a soft durable material such as synthetic leather or natural leather.

A seatbelt 40 and handlebars 46 are attached to the horse-shaped body 30. The seatbelt 40 is worn on the waist of the rider to prevent the rider from falling from the saddle 34.

Two handlebars 46 are attached to the neck portion of the horse-shaped body 30. A pair of left and right footrests 48 is arranged with different height on both sides of the horse-shaped body 30.

The handlebars 46 are gripped by the rider to take a stable riding posture when seated on the saddle 34.

This enables the rider to take a stable riding posture by placing the feet on the footrests 48 and gripping the handlebars 46 with the hands.

Referring again to FIGS. 5 and 6, each of the riding unit includes a rocking mechanism 60 for rocking the horse-shaped body 30.

The rocking mechanism 60 of the riding units 10 include a crank arm 66 and shock absorber 67.

The crank arm 66 is fixed to the both rear wheels 24. Thus, the crank arm 66 can rotate together with the rear wheel 24 as the riding units 10 move along a road surface.

A shock absorber 67 is arranged between the crank arm 66 and the horse-shaped body 30.

Since the crank arm 66 is eccentrically installed to the center axle of the rear wheel 24, it produces rocking movement when the rear wheel 24 rotates along the road surface.

If the crank arms 66 rotate together with the rear wheel 24, the crank arm 66 convert the rotating movement of the crank arm 66 to the up-and-down reciprocating movement of the horse-shaped body 30 via shock absorber 67. Thus, the horse-shaped body 30 makes rocking movement, more precisely seesaw movement. As a result, the rider seated on the saddle 34 of the horse-shaped body 30 can enjoy a locking motion just like actual horse riding.

A front wheel 22 of the riding units 10 is supported by a fork 63. A connecting hinge 69 is arranged on the top of the fork 63.

The connecting hinge 69 makes it possible to connect a pair of parallel riding units 10.

The front and rear riding units 10 can be connected to each other by a connecting member 14 (see FIG. 2).

A supporting member 68 supports the horse-shaped body 30. Thus, as shown in FIG. 5, the horse-shaped body 30 can be supported by the two shock absorbers 67 and the supporting member 68.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, the horseback riding apparatus of the present invention includes a traction unit 70 for pulling the riding units 10. The traction unit 70 includes a traction bogie 80 and a drive mechanism 90 for driving the traction bogie 80 to travel along a road surface.

The traction bogie 80 is configured to have a horse shape and includes a saddle 82 seated by a driver or a safety personnel, front wheels 84, rear wheels 86 and a steering mechanism 88 for changing the direction of the front wheels 84.

As shown in FIGS. 8 through 10, the front wheels 84 are designed to make rolling movement along the road surface and are arranged side by side in pair at the front side of the traction bogie 80. The front wheels 84 serve to support the front portion of the traction bogie 80 on the road surface, thereby allowing the front portion of the traction bogie 80 to freely move along the road surface.

As can be seen in FIGS. 8 and 11, the rear wheels 86 are designed to make rolling movement along the road surface and are arranged side by side in pair at the rear side of the traction bogie 80. The rear wheels 86 serve to support the rear portion of the traction bogie 80 on the road surface, thereby allowing the rear portion of the traction bogie 80 to freely move along the road surface. Brake devices 96 are built in the rear wheels 86 so as to apply brake to the traction unit 70 if needed. Wheels having brake devices 96 are well-known in the art and therefore will not be further described herein.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the steering mechanism 88 includes a steering wheel 88 a, a steering shaft 88 b, a tie rod 88 c, knuckle arms 88 d, knuckles 88 e and a gear set 88 f for operatively interconnecting the steering shaft 88 b and the tie rod 88 c. If the steering shaft 88 b is rotated by the operation of the steering wheel 88 a, the torque of the steering shaft 88 b is transferred to the tie rod 88 c, at which time the rotating movement of the steering shaft 88 b is converted to the linear movement of the tie rod 88 c. The linear movement of the tie rod 88 c is then converted to the swinging movement of the knuckle arms 88 d which in turn is transferred to the knuckles 88 e. The knuckles 88 e are rotated about kingpins 88 g, eventually turning the front wheels 84 in a desired direction. Thus, the traction bogie 80 is moved in a specified direction as the front wheels 84 are turned about the kingpins 88 g, whereby the travel direction of the riding units 10 is changed depending on the intention of the driver.

Referring again to FIGS. 8 and 11, the drive mechanism 90 of the traction unit 70 includes a drive motor 92 mounted to the traction bogie 80 and a power transfer device 94 for transferring the torque of the drive motor 92 to the rear wheels 86. The drive motor 92 is installed on the traction bogie 80 and is supplied with an electric current from a power supply 92 a, e.g., a battery, mounted to the traction bogie 80.

The power transfer device 94 includes a driving sprocket 94 a fixed to the output shaft of the drive motor 92, a connecting axle 94 b for interconnecting the rear wheels 86, a driven sprocket 94 c fixed to the connecting axle 94 b and a chain 94 d stretched over the driving sprocket 94 a and the driven sprocket 94 c to operatively connecting the sprockets 94 a and 94 c to each other.

The torque of the drive motor 92 is transferred to the rear wheels 86 through the driving sprocket 94 a, the chain 94 d, the driven sprocket 94 c and the connecting axle 94 b. Consequently, the rear wheels 86 are rotated by the torque of the drive motor 92 to move the traction unit 70 forwards. The riding units 10 are pulled by the traction unit 70 and are moved along the road surface. If necessary, the power transfer device 94 may be provided with a speed reducer (not shown) for reducing the rotation speed of the drive motor 92. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 11, brake devices 96 are built in the rear wheels to apply brake to the traction unit 70 as such a need arises. The configuration of the brake device 96 is well-known in the art and will not be further described herein.

Next, one example of the operation of the present horseback riding apparatus will be described.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, if one or more riders are seated on the saddles 34 of the riding units 10, the driver gets on the traction unit 70 and operates a controller(not shown) to start up the traction unit 70. Then, the drive mechanism 90(see FIG. 8) of the traction unit 70 is activated to rotate the rear wheels 86. The rear wheels 86 move forwards while making rolling movement on the road surface. As a result, the traction unit 70 generates a traction power and pulls the riding units 10 trailing after the traction unit 70, whereby the riding units 10 travel forwards along the road surface. At this time, if the steering wheel 88 a is turned to change the direction of the front wheels 84, the traction unit 70 is steered in a desired direction and the riding units 10 are moved in the direction in which the traction unit 70 moves.

As the riding unit 10 travels along the road surface, the front and rear wheels 22 and 24 of the respective riding units 10 make rolling movement along the road surface. The rolling movement of the rear wheels 24 results in rotation of the crank arms 66.

Since the crank arm 66 is eccentrically installed to the center of the rear wheel 24, the crank arms 66 produces rocking movement, thereby causing to horse-shaped body 30 to make rocking movement. Thus, the riders seated on the horse-shaped body 30 of the riding units 10 can feel as if the riders perform actual horse riding.

As described above, the present horseback riding apparatus for amusement parks is capable of traveling forwards while making rocking movement. It is therefore possible for the present horseback riding apparatus to impart riding motions like actual horseback riding to the riders. This enables the riders to feel as if they enjoy actual horse riding. Since the present horseback riding apparatus can freely travel on the road surface, it is possible for the riders to go through a riding experience similar to actual horseback riding, consequently attracting attention and interest of the riders. The increased attention and interest of the riders makes it possible to greatly enhance merchantability of the present horseback riding apparatus.

While four pairs of the riding units 10 are connected to the traction unit 70 in the illustrated embodiment, the number of the riding units 10 may be greater or lesser. In order to attract attention of the riders, it is desirable for the traction unit 70 to have a conspicuous shape, e.g., a unicorn shape.

While the traction unit 70 is positioned at the front side of the riding units 10 to pull the riding units 10 in the illustrated embodiment, it may be possible to arrange the traction unit 70 at the rear side of the riding units 10 so that the traction unit 70 can push the riding units 10.

If the traction unit 70 pushes the riding units 10 at the rear side of the latter, it is preferred that the traction unit 70 has a carriage shape as illustrated in FIG. 12.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, it may possible to arrange two traction units 70 at the front and rear sides of the riding units 10. In this case, one of the traction units 70 may pull the riding units 10 in one specific direction with the other kept in an idle state. Moreover, it is preferred that the traction unit 70 arranged at the front side has a horse-like shape while the traction unit 70 at the rear side has a carriage shape.

Referring to FIG. 13, the present horseback riding apparatus for amusement parks may further include an auxiliary unit 110 having a carriage-shaped outward appearance. It is preferred that the auxiliary unit 110 be connected to the endmost one of the riding units 10 and be provided with an easy-to-access seat 110 a for old or weak persons or a safety personnel.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the traction unit 70 has a brake pedal 120 and an emergency stop button 130.

The traction unit 70 also includes an accelerator pedal (not shown). The accelerator pedal is used to increase the rotation speed of the drive motor 92 and hence the travel speed of the traction unit 70 and the riding units 10. The brake pedal is employed to reduce the rotation speed of the drive motor 92, thereby slowing or stopping the traction unit 70 and the riding units 10.

In addition, the controller(not shown) of the traction unit 70 stores a program for enabling automatic operation of the traction unit 70. When an automatic operation mode is selected by the driver, the controller controls the operation of the traction unit 70 pursuant to the program so that the traction unit 70 can travel at a predetermined speed and by a predetermined distance. This enables the horseback riding apparatus to automatically run at the predetermined speed and by the predetermined distance.

While certain preferred embodiments of the invention have been described hereinabove, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. It is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A horseback riding apparatus for amusement parks, comprising: at least one riding unit including front and rear wheels rotatable through front and rear axles and arranged to make rolling movement along a road surface, a horse-shaped body seated by a rider and a rocking mechanism for causing the horse-shaped body to make rocking movement; and a traction unit connected to the riding unit and configured to pull or push the riding unit.
 2. The horseback riding apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rocking mechanism includes a pair of crank arms eccentrically fixed to the both rear wheels and configured to convert rotation of the rear wheels to rocking movement of the horse-shaped body, and a shock absorber arranged between the crank arms and the horse-shaped body to absorb impacts applied to the horse-shaped body.
 3. The horseback riding apparatus of claim 1, wherein the traction unit includes a traction bogie, front and rear wheels rotatably attached to the traction bogie, a drive motor mounted to the traction bogie to rotationally drive at least one of the front and rear wheels of the traction unit and a power transfer device configured to transfer torque of the drive motor to at least one of the front and rear wheels of the traction unit.
 4. The horseback riding apparatus of claim 3, wherein the traction unit further includes a steering mechanism configured to steer the traction unit, the steering mechanism including a steering wheel, a steering shaft connected to the steering wheel, a tie rod, a gear set for operatively interconnecting the steering shaft and the tie rod, a knuckle arm fixedly secured to the tie rod and a knuckle pivotally attached to the knuckle arm and fixed to one of the front and rear wheels of the traction unit.
 5. The horseback riding apparatus of claim 3, wherein the traction bogie is formed of a horse shape.
 6. The horseback riding apparatus of claim 1, wherein the riding unit includes a pair of riding units arranged side by side and interconnected to each other.
 7. The horseback riding apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an auxiliary unit connected to the riding unit and configured to have a carriage shape.
 8. The horseback riding apparatus of claim 1, wherein the traction unit is arranged at a front side of the riding unit to pull the riding unit.
 9. The horseback riding apparatus of claim 1, wherein the traction unit is arranged at a rear side of the riding unit to push the riding unit. 